Phil Jackson Says This Controversial Book Changed Everything For The Bulls

When long time Chicago Bulls beat writer Sam Smith came out with his book "The Jordan Rules" in the early 1990s, it gave many fans the first detailed account of how much of a gruff Michael Jordan was toward his teammates.

"The Jordan Rules" painted Jordan in a less than complimentary light — as a selfish player who railed on his teammates, didn't trust them, and cared little for what they brought to the team.

Jackson believes Smith’s book played a role in Jordan backing off his so-called supporting cast, as well as allowing the coaches to more effectively restore a level of order and maintain control of the team.

“That was probably a part of the dynamic,” said Jackson. “There were a lot of things that contributed to that. I think one of them was Michael playing in a system in which he had to form-fit himself into a group. He had to start trusting his teammates, which came from the appreciation of their individual skills and abilities. Finally, some of the shine came off the idolatry and the unbelievable press Michael got his first four or five years of his career where he could do everything from sew to cook."

Jordan learning to trust his teammates in order to become an elite, championship player is not a new narrative. What's new is someone of Jackson's stature admitting the book had such an effect on Jordan.

Even though it was always obvious Jordan's change in attitude toward his supporting cast played an enormous role in he and the Bulls' development, it's always been downplayed or completely ignored by those who were on the inside.